There was a movie that came out in the 1960’s starring Clint Eastwood called “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”. The movie was in the genre of flicks called “Spaghetti Westerns” because they supposedly took place in the Southwestern U.S. but actually filmed in Italy. One of the news stations on cable (either your favorite or most hated) has a segment they call ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” and it is a short new sippet detailing three stories, one of which shows the good side of humanity, the other the bad side and a third showing another, worse sort of behavior termed “ugly”.
Now, to the weight control arena: I often hear patients use the words “good or bad” when they refer to food sources. Obviously, the “good” foods are the ones compatible with weight control whereas the “bad” ones are those food items that derail weight control. Additionally, quite frequently patients refer to themselves as “good” or “bad” depending on how close they adhered to the dietary plan that particular week. A separate self-described term I have heard are people lamenting that they feel “ugly” when their weight is out of control.
Foods are not “bad” or “good”: There are foods that are more compatible for weight control than others. People are not “bad” or “good” depending on whether they lose weight or not. And most certainly, people carrying around more weight than they want are not by any means “ugly”.
When we start thinking of “bad”, “good” and “ugly”, these are what I term “negative energy” thoughts. Taking time to ascribe these thoughts to ourselves takes away from the positive energy time needed to move forward and ensure as best as possible that we succeed in our efforts. Wallowing in self-flagellation is not nearly as productive as positively committing to the efforts needed to shed the weight.
Foods are not “bad”, you are not “bad” and you are most certainly not “ugly”. Stay committed to the steps needed for weight control and what you will be is very “happy”.
For you 60’s movie fans and especially those spaghetti westerns, enjoy the theme song from “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”.
